6i 
Sphenopteris Type of Foliage. 
The next point to be considered is the identity of the seed. In some 
respects this organ agrees closely with Lagenostorna ovoides , Will., but it is 
on a very much smaller scale. I have not however been able, owing to the 
minute size of the specimens, to ascertain the characters of the apex in the 
few instances in which the seed appears to be free from the cupule. Further, 
it must always be difficult to correlate a seed, occurring as an impression, 
with one in which the structure is preserved. I do not therefore feel 
justified, on the present evidence, in referring it to the genus Lagenostorna, 
though I think it probable that it may eventually prove to be nearly 
related. As it seems advisable to adopt some name for the present 
specimen, I propose to include the seeds temporarily in the non-committal 
genus Carpolithns , a term already applied to certain seeds of this type, 
whose affinities are uncertain. As regards the specific name, I would 
designate it C. Nathorsti , sp. nova, in honour of my friend Prof. Nathorst, 
of Stockholm, who has done so much to increase our knowledge of fossil 
plants. 
The Sphenopterid frond described here does not agree exactly with 
any species with which I am acquainted. It is however similar to the 
fertile fronds of Zeilleria delicatida (Sternb.), and Calymmatotheca Frenzli , 
Stur. I doubt whether it could be determined specifically, in the present 
instance, for the lamina appears to be much reduced. I do not there- 
fore propose to designate it other than generically. 
Conclusions. 
The interest of the present specimen lies in the fact that we have here 
the very rare instance of a female frond, undoubtedly of the Sphenopterid 
type, bearing small seeds, probably enclosed in cupules. The inferences 
are all in favour of the inclusion of this fossil within the Lyginodendreae, 
although it is impossible, at present, to ascertain whether the seed in 
question was a true Lagenostorna , or a member of some other nearly- related 
genus. The small size of the seeds themselves, though remarkable, is 
not inexplicable when we remember that the pinnules of many of the 
Sphenopterid fronds, which at present rest under the suspicion of being the 
foliage of Pteridosperms, rather than members of the Primofilices \ have 
often quite minute segments or lobes. 
Further, in Carpolithus Nathorsti we have the first instance where 
seeds, probably enclosed in cupules, have been found attached to a 
Sphenopterid frond, the lamina of which can be recognized. Thus perhaps 
the greatest point of interest of this specimen lies in the fact that the 
provisional conclusions 2 , previously drawn from the evidence of Lagenostorna 
1 Arber (’06), p. 218. 
2 Oliver and Scott (’04), p. 229. Arber (’05 1 ), p. 258; Arber (’05 2 ). 
